Last weekend I was in Slaithwaite, home of Stylecraft yarn, to catch up with the other Blogstars and find out what yarny treats Stylecraft had in store for knitters and crocheters around the globe. Some of us arrived on Friday afternoon and spent some time looking through Stylecraft's pattern archive. There were lots of real classic, timeless designs there as well as a few shockers! It shows how fashions change. It's Stylecraft's 30th birthday or 'Purl Anniversary' as they are calling it in 2019. There are going to be lots of exciting things going on this year which I'll tell you more about in due course.
We were joined by some of the other Blogstars who arrived a little later and spent Friday evening being wined and dined in a most marvellous manner by Annabelle and Juliet; and yes - knitting and crochet did appear at the dining table! It's normal for us when we get together!
We made our way down to the Mill on Saturday after breakfast, to be joined virtually by our overseas Blogstars. We always begin with tea and a catch up. Lucia had brought along her amazing Havana blanket - made with a huge variety of different yarns. It is absolutely stunning and I think we would all have liked to take it home with us!
As well as her Havana blanket, Lucia also brought along her January Blues blanket; you can find out a lot more about it if you head over to her blog. Be prepared for an absolute feast of colour! She made it using leftovers of Stylecraft Special DK, so it's a perfect project for using up all those half-used balls of yarn!
Phil also brought along her AMAZING knitted pond picture. It it seriously breathtaking and must bring into question Phil's sanity! (Only kidding!) You can read a lot more about it and see more detailed photos on Phil's blog.
After our catch up, Annabelle then took us through the new yarns that Stylecraft are bringing out over the 2019 Spring/Summer Season. Because our February meet up was postponed by the weather, many of these yarns are already in your local yarn shops. This season has been inspired by two moodboards. Tribal Eccentric features a soft and strong vibrant colour palette with a playful, exuberant and energetic feel while Radiant Romance features a soft palette of pastel colours to create feminine garments with drape and fluidity.
The first yarn is Dream Catcher, a roving type yarn with gradual colour changes. There are currently 6 colourways available. It's 90% acrylic and 10% wool and is unbelievably soft.
Lucia had already crocheted the Havana shawl using two different colourways alternately and it was amazing to see how the two worked so beautifully together.
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| Copyright Lucia's Figtree |
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| Copyright Lucia's Figtree |
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| Copyright Lucia's Figtree |
There are four new shades in the Bambino yarn range. It's 100% acrylic and perfect for baby clothes and blankets. It has a lovely soft, plump, velvety feel to it.
There are two new shade of Jeanie. This is an Aran weight yarn, 60% cotton and 40% acrylic. I think that Jeanie will work well with one of the new yarn releases this season. More of that in a minute!
Classique Cotton is very popular with crocheters and there are six new colours to play with. I love these beautiful soft, chalky shades. Lucia has been trying some of them out in a new blanket and they look gorgeous.
Monet is a new Aran weight yarn, 50% acrylic and 50% cotton, inspired by the Impressionist paintings. Looking at the finished garments, you can really see the dots and brushstrokes of the likes of Monet and Renoir. I think it would also go very well with Jeanie.
Moonbeam is another new yarn this season. Made of 75% cotton and 25% viscose, it has a matt or shiny effect depending on which section of the yarn you're looking at. I think it will be perfect for lovely draping shawls and wraps.
Last but not least for now is one of my favourite of Stylecraft's yarns - Linen Drape. There are four new shades to add to the existing range. They are all beautifully rich and deep colours.
After a delicious lunch, we were taught how to make a simple sewn notebook by Juliet Bernard. It was a fun way to conclude the day and my notebook is now residing in my knitting bag, ready for me to scribble down ideas and design notes.
There was just time for a group photo before we all went our separate ways. Our next weekend together in July looks like it's going to be Very Exciting! xxx
6 comments:
I'm so envious, it sounds like a fantastic weekend. The blankets, shawl and picture are all amazing; you really are a talented bunch. So much gorgeous new yarn to squish too. You look really well in the photo, Helen, it's a lovely one of all of you. xx
Wowsers!! Those blankets are absolutely amazing!!!!
By the looks of the pictures you all had a wonderful time. I like all the new yarns. They really increased the different yarns they have now. What fun. The shawl and afghan were unbelieveable. What a mind. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. What are you knitting? Take Care!xo
I love the hex motif. Will there be a pattern soon?
What a lovely way to spend the weekend, surrounded by friends and yarn! The afghans are outstanding, especially the pond one - amazing. I'm happy to see you are out and about, I hope you are feeling better.
Take care,
Kim from Canada xx
What a perfect woolly weekend. I hope some of that yarn was allowed into your suitcase, Flo may have expectations of a new Havana blanket.
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